ON THE EASTERN FRONT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 August 1941, Page 6

ON THE EASTERN FRONT

Menace of German Southward Thrust VIEWS OF MILITARY COMMENTATORS IN LONDON ATTEMPT TO SEVER VITAL RUSSIAN COMMUNICATIONS (By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Received This Day, 11.20 a.m.) LONDON, August 10. Commentators in London agree that the war on the Russian front has entered its most critical period, and that the trend of ■the conflict will be determined by the results of the present battle. . Military observers do not under-estimate the menace oi the German southward thrust towards Odessa. While they discount flambuoyant German claims, they believe that the invaders have made some progress and that anxious days are ahead for the defenders. . The “Daily Herald’s’’ military correspondent particularly emphasises the threat to the Russian forces if. the German offensive succeeds in severing the three railway links between Kiev and Odessa. This commentator takes the view that Marshal Budenny is being hard pressed. On the other hand, The Times” correspondent on the German frontier writes confidently of the ability of the Russians to break down the. third great offensive and accomplish the objective of establishing a strategic line for the winter campaigns.